rebut
verb
re·but ri-ˈbət 
rebutted; rebutting
transitive verb
1
: to drive or beat back : repel
2
a
: to contradict or oppose by formal legal argument, plea, or countervailing proof
b
: to expose the falsity of : refute
intransitive verb
: to make or furnish an answer or counter proof
rebuttable
ri-ˈbə-tə-bəl
adjective 
Did you know?
The -but in rebut once meant basically "butt", so rebut's original meanings were "to drive or beat back" and "to attack with violent language". Rebuttals can still be rather violent, as anyone who has watched some heated moments in a presidential debate can testify. The word is often used by lawyers, since the lawyer for the accused or for the party being sued almost always tries to rebut the charges against his or her client; but it's also used in plenty of contexts outside the courtroom.
Synonyms
- beat off
- fend (off)
- repel
- repulse
- stave off
- turn away
- turn back
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Her lawyer attempted to rebut the witness's testimony. Stalingrad's defenders were finally able to rebut the besiegers, but only after a horrendous loss of life.
Recent Examples on the Web Roberts has spoken out repeatedly about the importance of the judiciary’s independence and to rebut perceptions of the court as a political institution not much different than Congress or the presidency. 
Colleen Slevin, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 State Department officials rebut the criticism that allies weren’t consulted, telling me that Blinken immediately relayed to Biden their concerns that the pace of withdrawal should be based on the Taliban meeting certain conditions. David Montgomery, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 These figures do not necessarily rebut the fear that an extended trial of an ex-president might be, in some ways, an unsettling experience for the nation. Win Mccormack, The New Republic, 11 Aug. 2022 Companies can in theory rebut that presumption, but the burden is heavy. Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 4 July 2022 Memphis: The city got dragged in the comments Wednesday after officials attempted to rebut a viral TikTok that highlighted Memphis’ persistent problems with potholes. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 6 June 2022 But this boat shed in Amsterdam—crafted by Studio Piet Boon creative director Karin Meyn—will rebut any carping critics. Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 28 July 2022 Insurers may rebut the claim that Russia stole the lessors’ planes, turning word choice into a highly debatable issue. Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 12 July 2022 Defense lawyers cried foul when the prosecution listed additional witnesses to rebut the anticipated defense testimony. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2022 See More
Colleen Slevin, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 State Department officials rebut the criticism that allies weren’t consulted, telling me that Blinken immediately relayed to Biden their concerns that the pace of withdrawal should be based on the Taliban meeting certain conditions. David Montgomery, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 These figures do not necessarily rebut the fear that an extended trial of an ex-president might be, in some ways, an unsettling experience for the nation. Win Mccormack, The New Republic, 11 Aug. 2022 Companies can in theory rebut that presumption, but the burden is heavy. Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 4 July 2022 Memphis: The city got dragged in the comments Wednesday after officials attempted to rebut a viral TikTok that highlighted Memphis’ persistent problems with potholes. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 6 June 2022 But this boat shed in Amsterdam—crafted by Studio Piet Boon creative director Karin Meyn—will rebut any carping critics. Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 28 July 2022 Insurers may rebut the claim that Russia stole the lessors’ planes, turning word choice into a highly debatable issue. Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 12 July 2022 Defense lawyers cried foul when the prosecution listed additional witnesses to rebut the anticipated defense testimony. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French reboter, from re- + boter to butt — more at butt entry 3
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
rebut
verb
re·but ri-ˈbət
rebutted; rebutting
: to prove to be wrong by argument or by proof
Legal Definition
rebut
transitive verb
re·but ri-ˈbət
rebutted; rebutting
: to refute, counteract, or disprove (as opposing evidence) by evidence or argument
rebut damaging testimony
rebut a presumption
rebutted
verb
1
as in repulsed
to drive back Stalingrad's defenders were finally able to rebut the besiegers, but only after a horrendous loss of life Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- repulsed
- resisted
- repelled
- turned back
- fought
- beat off
- deflected
- opposed
- turned away
- withstood
- rebuffed
- fended (off)
- stood off
- staved off
- spurned
- held off
- defied
- snubbed
- warded (off)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- embraced
- welcomed
- hailed
2
as in refuted
to prove to be false Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe effectively rebutted any lingering notions that the earth is flat Synonyms & Similar Words
- refuted
- disproved
- overturned
- debunked
- challenged
- discredited
- confuted
- discussed
- falsified
- disconfirmed
- belied
- confounded
- questioned
- contested
- shot down
- doubted
- gave the lie to
- debated
- overthrew
- mistrusted
- queried
- mooted
- talked over
- hashed (over)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- established
- confirmed
- proved
- verified
- validated
- recorded
- showed
- documented
- supported
- evidenced
- identified
- witnessed
- corroborated
- demonstrated
- substantiated
- attested
- illustrated
- displayed
- buttressed
- evinced
- certified
- backed (up)
- adduced
- manifested
- authenticated